Miss M O'Sullivan(5)

The number that really stands out, though, is what happens when the weather turns. On wet or muddy ground, she has won 2 from just 3 races — a two-in-three record that is borderline extraordinary. Most jockeys take years to develop a feel for riding on a heavy surface, where the tactics are completely different and horses can be unpredictable. The fact that she is already converting at that rate suggests either a natural instinct for those conditions, or a level of patience and confidence that many riders twice her experience struggle to find.

The "(5)" beside her name indicates she currently rides with a 5-pound weight allowance, meaning the horses she rides carry 5 pounds less than they otherwise would. That is a meaningful advantage for trainers choosing their jockey, and it explains why she continues to pick up rides — but it does not explain away the winners. Allowances get used up, results do not lie, and 21 career winners in four years is a genuinely respectable foundation to build on.